Article pickup device



Feb. 25, 1964 P. J. KERR ARTICLE PICKUP DEVICE Filed June 1, 1961 Paul J. Q Kerr INVENTOR. 4052 Biw United States Patent 3,122,389 ARTICLE PZQKUP DEHCE Paul J. Kerr, Rte. 1, Reform, Ala. Filed dune 1, 1961, Ser. No. 114,218 2 Qlaims. (Ql. 29419) This invention relates to a novel and useful article pickup device and is specifically adapted to provide a means whereby substantially all types of small articles may be picked up by a person without requiring the person to bend over, reach down, and manually pickup the article.

The article pickup device of the instant invention uti lizes an elongated rigid handle member provided with handle means on one end and a wedge-shaped terminal end portion on the other end defining a blade-like end. This blade-like end is adapted for cooperation with a rod-like free end portion of a movable jaw which is mounted for generally longitudinal movement transversely of the blade-lflte end portion of the handle. The bladelike end portion of the handle includes a side face through which a transversel extending slot formed in the handle opens. The slot also opens through the terminal end of the handle. The rod-like free end portion of the movable jaw is receivable witlun the slot and the opposite side walls of the slot may be slightly outwardly convergent toward he end or" the slot into which the rod-like free end portion of the movable jaw is receivable. In this manner, as the rod-like free end portion of the movable jaw first enters the slot, it is loosely received therein. However, further penetration of the rod-like free end portion into the slot will result in the terminal end of the rod-like free end portion being progressively more snugly received within the slot as it is moved toward the other end of the slot.

The manner in which the movable jaw is mounted upon the stationary jaw portion formed by the handle enables the article pickup device of the instant invention to be used effectively in picking up substantially all types of small articles. The article pickup device is especially desi ned for people having physical handicaps that either prevent or mi ht be aggravated by the person bending over in order to pickup a device.

The object of this invention is to provide an article pickup device having coacting jaws of such configuration and being mounted for relative movement in such a manner whereby the article pickup device may be utilized edectively to pickup substantially all types of small objects regardless of their configuration.

A further object of this invention is to provide an article pickup device constructed in a manner whereby the device may be utilized to effect a gentle grip upon the article which is to be picked up thereby enabling the device to used effectively in handling fragile articles.

A final object to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide an article pickup device which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, is of simple construction, and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawin s forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the article pickup device showing the same grasped by the hand of a user and for the purpose of picking up a flexible panel-like article;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevational view of the lower portion of the embodiment illustrated in FEJURE 1;

aisaasa Federated Feb. 25, 1964 ice FIGURE 3 isjan enlarged fragmentary side elevational view similar to that of FIGURE 2 but showing the article pickup device being utilized to pickup a conventional pencil;

FlGURE 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view, with parts in elevation, of the article pickup device taken substantially upon a plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the handle of the pickup device, parts of the pickup device being broken away; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal vertical sectional view of the lower end of the article pickup device being shown and utilized to pickup a flexible panel-like article such as that illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 and showing the manner in which portions of the panel-like member may be wedged within the slot formed in the lower terminal end portion of the handle by means of the rod-like free end portion of the movable aw.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral it generally designates the article pickup device of the instant invention which includes an elongated handle generally referred to by reference numeral 12 comprising a stationary jaw and a movable jaw generally referred to by the reference numeral 14.

With attention now directed to FIGURE 4 of the drawing it will be seen that the handle includes a blade-like end portion generally referred to by the reference numeral i6 and a handle element 18 which is carried by the other end of the handle 12. The handle element 13 is directed laterally of the handle :12 and is adapted to comprise a pistol grip for the handle 12. The blade-like end portion 16 includes an upwardly disposed side face 2% and a parallel downwardly disposable side face 22 The side faces 2% and 22 converge toward the terminal end of the blade end portion 16 forming a wedge-shaped end on the handle '12. An inclined and transversely extending slot or notch -24 extends transversely across the median portion or" the blade-like endportion 216 and opens at one end through the upper and lower faces Zll and 22 and also through the terminal end of the blade end portion 16.

The moveable jaw 14 comprises a generally U-shaped rod-like member 26 including a first rod-like free end portion leg 23 and a second leg 39. The legs 28 and 36 are interconnected by means of a bight portion generally referred to by the reference numeral 32 and the bight portion includes an integral laterally ofiset portion 34 which extends away from the bight portion in the direction in which the legs extend therefrom and define a generally keyhole-shaped recess 36 which opens toward the side of the bight portion 32 opposite from that side of the bight portion 32 from which the laterally ofiset portion 3 projects.

The handle 12 is provided with a transversely extending slot 38 which extends entirely through the handle portion 12 and is spaced from the blade-like end portion 16. A pivot pin 49 is secured in the handle 12 and extends transversely of the slot 38 and is rotatably received in the closed end portion 42 of the recess 36. The juncture of the laterally offset portion 34 and the leg 36 defines a pocket 44' including a stop surface 46. A stop pin 43 is also carried by the handle 12 and extends transversely of the slot 33 and is received in the pocket 44 for engagement by the stop surface 46 in order to limit pivotal movement of the U-shaped rod-like member 26 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 4.

An elongated pull rod 5% is slidably mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement longitudinally of the handle 12 by means of an eye 52 and has an eye portion 54 formed on one end which is engaged with an eye portion 56 formed on the free end of the leg 30 whereby the pull member 5% has one end portion pivotal-1y secured to the free end portion of the leg St The other end of the pull member 513 is provided with a loop 58 adapted to be engaged by the finger of a user of the article pickup device having his hand encircled about the handle element 18 whereby pivotal movement of the U-shaped rod-like member 26 may be eflected by reciprocation of the pull member 59.

The handle 12 has a stop pin 6% secured thereto and one end of a rubber band or other suitable elongated elastorneric member 62 is engaged with the stop pin 69 and has the other end engaged with the U-shaped rod-like member or jaw 26 at the intersection between the side portion 32 and the laterally offset portion 34 as at 64.

The slot (notch or kerf) 24 includes opposite side walls 66 and it is to be understood that the opposite side walls 66 are outwardly divergent toward the side face 20 whereby as the rod-like free end portion 23 of the U-shaped rodlike member 26 first enters the slot 24 it will be loosely received therein. Then, upon further penetration of the rod-like free end portion 28 within the slot 24, the former will be more snugly received. In this manner, the pickup device is adapted to pick up flexible panel-like elements of varying thicknesses.

As can be illustrated best in FIGURES l, 2 and 5, panel-like members are easily picked up by the article pickup device it). As illustrated in FIGURE 3, small articles such as pencils may also be easily handled by the article pickup device 10. Other articles, such as bottles, clothing, magazines, coins, matches and cigarettes, etc. may also be adeptly picked up from substantially all types of supporting surfaces by means of the article pickup device 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

'What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. For use by a handicapped person, a small article pickup device comprising: an elongated rigid reach handle having distal and proximal end portions and provided at its proximal end portion with a handle element, said distal end portion being rectangular in cross-section and the terminal end thereof being beveled downwardly and rearwardly relative to a flat lengthwise upwardly facing side of said handle and having a notch, said notch opening at upper and lower ends thereof through upper and lower faces of said distal end portion, that portion of the handle inwardly of the beveled end having a lengthwise slot also opening through said upper and lower faces, forwardly and rearwardly disposed pins fixed on said handle and spanning said slot in spaced parallel relationship, the forward pin providing a pivot and the rearward pin providing a limit stop, said beveled distal end constituting a relatively stationary jaw, and a complemental relatively movable jaw comprising a substantially U-shaped rod member embodying a bight portion and inner and outer leg portions, the outer leg portion being movable in an arcuate path toward and from said upwardly facing side and also being in alignment with and movable toward and from and being seatable in said notch, the inner leg portion extending through the slot and beyond the lower face of said handle, that portion of the bight portion forwardly of said inner leg portion having an offset bent portion located in said slot and hingedly connected to said pivot pin, said inner leg portion at its junctional connection with said bent portion providing a stop shoulder and said stop shoulder being movable toward and from and engageable with said limit stop pin, and a push-pull rod slidingly mounted on the lower face of said handle and having a forward end connected to a terminal end of said inner portion, and an elastic band having one end detachably anchored on an adjacent portion of said handle and the other end portion connected with the aforementioned bight portion.

2. For use by a handicapped person, an article pickup device comprising, in combination, a pair of jaws, one of said jaws having a distal end beveled downwardly and rearwardly and providing a blade-like leading end portion, said one jaw having fiat top and bottom surfaces adjacent to said distal end portion, said distal end being provided with a notch opening through said top and bottom surfaces, said blade-like leading end portion constituting a terminal integral end portion of an enlongated reach handle, said handle having forward and rearward ends and a lengthwise slot opening through said top and bottom surfaces and spaced rearwardly from said beveled distal end, a pivot pin fixed in said handle and extending across and bridging said slot, the other jaw comprising a substantially U-shaped rod'like member embodying forward and rearward legs joined by a bight portion, the forward leg having a terminal free end portion aligned with and swingable into said notch and also swingable at substantially right angles toward and from said flat top surface, and the rearward leg extending through and beyond said slot, said bight portion having an integral laterally offset i-shaped portion coplanar with and eX- tending away from said bight portion in the direction in which said legs extend therefrom and the component divergent portions thereof defining a substantially keyhole-shaped crotch, the closed end of said crotch being rotatably and pivotally mounted on said pivot pin, a rigid elongated push-pull member mounted on said handle and having an end disposed adjacent the rearward end of said handle, means on the forward end secured to the free end portion of said rearward leg, an elastic member detachably connected at one end to said U-shaped portion and at its other end to retaining means provided therefor on said handle and yieldably urging said U-shaped member away from said notch, a stop pin also fixed on said handle and spanning said slot, the bight portion of said rodlike member situated between said leg and laterally offset V-shaped portion constituting a limit stop and being engageable with said stop pin for limiting the movement of the rod-like member away from said notch.

References in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,105,684 Nuttall Aug. 4, 1914 2,096,391 Cringle Oct. 19, 1937 2,436,500 Anderson Feb. 24, 1948 2,806,733 Hand Sept. 17, 1957 2,905,498 Lunde Sept. 22, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 19,325 Great Britain July 13, 1904 

1. FOR USE BY A HANDICAPPED PERSON, A SMALL ARTICLE PICKUP DEVICE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED RIGID REACH HANDLE HAVING DISTAL AND PROXIMAL END PORTIONS AND PROVIDED AT ITS PROXIMAL END PORTION WITH A HANDLE ELEMENT, SAID DISTAL END PORTION BEING RECTANGULAR IN CROSS-SECTION AND THE TERMINAL END THEREOF BEING BEVELED DOWNWARDLY AND REARWARDLY RELATIVE TO A FLAT LENGTHWISE UPWARDLY FACING SIDE OF SAID HANDLE AND HAVING A NOTCH, SAID NOTCH OPENING AT UPPER AND LOWER ENDS THEREOF THROUGH UPPER AND LOWER FACES OF SAID DISTAL END PORTION, THAT PORTION OF THE HANDLE INWARDLY OF THE BEVELED END HAVING A LENGTHWISE SLOT ALSO OPENING THROUGH SAID UPPER AND LOWER FACES, FORWARDLY AND REARWARDLY DISPOSED PINS FIXED ON SAID HANDLE AND SPANNING SAID SLOT IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, THE FORWARD PIN PROVIDING A PIVOT AND THE REARWARD PIN PROVIDING A LIMIT STOP, SAID BEVELED DISTAL END CONSTITUTING A RELATIVELY STATIONARY JAW, AND A COMPLEMENTAL RELATIVELY MOVABLE JAW COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED ROD MEMBER EMBODYING A BRIGHT PORTION AND INNER AND OUTER LEG PORTIONS, THE OUTER LEG PORTION BEING MOVABLE IN AN ARCUATE PATH TOWARD AND FROM SAID UPWARDLY FACING SIDE AND ALSO BEING IN ALIGNMENT WITH AND MOVABLE TOWARD AND FROM AND BEING SEATABLE IN SAID NOTCH, THE INNER LEG PORTION EXTENDING THROUGH THE SLOT AND BEYOND THE LOWER FACE OF SAID HANDLE, THAT PORTION OF THE BIGHT PORTION FORWARDLY OF SAID INNER LEG PORTION HAVING AN OFFSET BENT PORTION LOCATED IN SAID SLOT AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID PIVOT PIN, SAID INNER LEG PORTION AT ITS JUNCTIONAL CONNECTION WITH SAID BENT PORTION PROVIDING A STOP SHOULDER AND SAID STOP SHOULDER BEING MOVABLE TOWARD AND FROM AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LIMIT STOP PIN, AND A PUSH-PULL ROD SLIDINGLY MOUNTED ON THE LOWER FACE OF SAID HANDLE AND HAVING A FORWARD END CONNECTED TO A TERMINAL END OF SAID INNER PORTION, AND AN ELASTIC BAND HAVING ONE END DETACHABLY ANCHORED ON AN ADJACENT PORTION OF SAID HANDLE AND THE OTHER END PORTION CONNECTED WITH THE AFOREMENTIONED BIGHT PORTION. 